TICKETS are now on sale for the 2021 rugby league world cup, with matches due to take place in the North-East later this year.

England is hosting the tournament, which will include matches at the Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough, St James's Park and Kingston Park in Newcastle and York's Community Stadium.

Tickets start from as low as £2.21 and 80 per cent are priced below £50.

Teesside is hosting a match between Tonga and Cook Islands, who will be staying and training in Darlington during the tournament, on Sunday, November 7.

The opening ceremony and first match between England and Samoa takes place at St James' Park and Kingston Park, home of rugby union side Newcastle Falcons, will host three group matches.

Jon Dutton, chief executive of RLWC2021, said: “This is a momentous day for the tournament as general admission tickets go on sale to the public.

"Tees Valley has a big part to play at RLWC2021, as they host a significant men’s group fixture between Tonga and Cook Islands at the Riverside Stadium.

“The last year or so has been an incredibly challenging one for everyone, including fans deprived of seeing live events, and to be able to go on sale for what promises to be the biggest and best Rugby League World Cup in history is very exciting.

“The countdown is well and truly on, and fans from all of our incredible host cities can feel the excitement building, with general sale being the latest milestone passed on the road to RLWC2021.

“With the men’s, women’s and wheelchair tournament tickets going on sale, there are so many amazing fixtures for fans to secure their seats to, giving them a chance to be involved in what is sure to be a fantastic World Cup.

"There is a real opportunity for them to not only support their own nation, but also the realistic and affordable possibility of seeing some of the other high-profile games and maybe adopting a second team in the tournament.”

Fans can purchase tickets via www.rlwc2021.com/tickets until Tuesday, June 1, where tickets will go off sale for a three-week period until Monday, June 21 for seat assignment.

Organisers have issued a ticket refund guarantee should there be restrictions on crowds at the event and to reassure fans in the unfortunate circumstance the event has to be cancelled.